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An analysis of 17 studies indicates that fish oil supplements are effective in reducing diastolic and systolic blood pressure, offering a path toward treating or preventing hypertension. "The small but statistically significant effects of fish-oil supplements in hypertensive participants in this review have important implications for population health and lowering the risk of stroke and ischaemic heart disease," the study authors said.

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Adding a fish-oil supplement to the drug regimen of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis enhanced response to conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, a study found. "The study suggests that fish oil can help in reducing symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis in some patients, although the overall effect is modest," said Eric Matteson of the Mayo Clinic.

Britain-based AstraZeneca will acquire the U.S. fish oil drug-maker Omthera Pharmaceuticals in a transaction valued at up to $443 million. The purchase is seen as an effort by AstraZeneca to round out its cardiovascular offerings and compete with GlaxoSmithKline and others that already sell fish-oil pharmaceuticals. Omthera's Epanova, a mixture of fish-oil-derived fatty acids, should be submitted for U.S. regulatory approval mid-year, according to this article.

European olive oil farmers are seeking more influence in negotiations with the food industry, more accurate labeling of olive oil by retailers and consistent quality categories throughout Europe, says Juan Corbalán, the Brussels delegate of Spanish Agri-food Cooperatives. The priorities come amid work on European Common Agricultural Policy and the EU's olive oil action plan.

Tougher food-safety regulations on vegetable oil importers took effect in China on Tuesday. The updated standards cover quality and vessels, among other areas, with shipments that fall short potentially being blocked from delivery.

People with hypertension who took high doses of vitamin C supplements lowered their blood pressure, Johns Hopkins researchers reported. Systolic and diastolic pressure dropped 4.85 mm Hg and 1.67 mm Hg on average for patients with high blood pressure, according to a review of 21 clinical trials that used an average dose of 500 milligrams per day for a median time period of eight weeks.